High Cheese

Some tidbits from today's 8-7 loss to the Braves, which ultimately gave Atlanta the Wild Card and helped avoid a one-game playoff between them and the Padres, who lost to the Giants.

-Vance Worley's solid performance in a win over the Braves on Saturday wasn't enough to win him a spot on the National League Division Series roster. But the rookie righthander is very much on the team's radar. Prior to the game, the Phillies told him they were sending him to the instructional league in Clearwater, Fla. to stay sharp in case he is needed to make an emergency start against the Reds.

Worley could still factor into the equation for the National League Championship Series if the Phillies advance that far. The NLCS will feature one less off day, meaning the Phillies could need a fourth starter, and thus need extra help in the bullpen.

Theoretically, this could change if J.C. Romero ends up missing the NLDS and the Phillies decide to tap Worley to fill the open spot in the bullpen. But the plan as of right now is to keep him sharp as a starter.

-Charlie Manuel expressed optimism that Carlos Ruiz and J.C. Romero would both be ready for Game 1, although he said he would not know more until Tuesday. Ruiz said he was hopeful for Game 1. Romero said he expected to be ready. Ruiz will see a team doctor Monday in Philadelphia. X-Rays on his left elbow, which was swollen after he was hit by a pitch, were negative. Romero left the game in the sixth inning with stiffness in his lower back that he blamed on his sciatic nerve. Ruiz finished the regular season hitting .302 and is a huge part of the pitching game. Romero is the team's veteran lefty, and the Phillies are facing a Reds team that features lefty sluggers Joey Votto and Jay Bruce.

-Manuel said he expected Rollins to be in the line-up for Game 1, but said he didn't know where the short stop would hit.

-John Mayberry Jr. is headed to the Arizona Fall League, so he won't be with the team this postseason.